PNE Preview vs Bristol City (A)

North End will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to seven games when they face Bristol City on Saturday, the Lilywhites have won their last four visits to Ashton Gate.

In fact, PNE have won the last five games against City and are unbeaten in 10 matches.

The last time the Reds were victorious against North End was back in 2011, where Phil Brown’s Preston team lost 4-0 at Deepdale and later were relegated to League One.

Naturally, Lee Johnson will be looking to end that statistic on the weekend, especially as his side have lost their last two games.

Defeats to Stoke and Reading last time out leave them in 12th position, seven points ahead of Preston.

Ipswich reaction as Gallagher saves the day

Paul Gallagher came on off the bench against Ipswich to equalise with his first touch of the game from a free-kick.

This was similar to scoring a free-kick just minutes after coming on at Villa Park earlier in the season, as the 34 year-old proves to still be a vital player for PNE and is just two away from 100 career goals.

After goalkeeper Chris Maxwell picked up his second yellow card of the game, with Gallagher being part of three substitutions that had already been made, the midfielder stepped up and went in goal.

He was North End’s goalkeeper for around 20 minutes and managed to avoid conceding, making a good save from what was the only real shot taken at goal after North End were reduced to ten men.

Alex Neil’s men seemed to defend much better when being reduced to 10 and there was even a chance for Lukas Nmecha to get his first goal for the club but the Manchester City loanee seemed to hesitate.

Tom Clarke was also close to a winner late on from another set piece.

It turned out to be a good point for Preston who extended their unbeaten run to six games.

Team News

After being sent off against Ipswich, goalkeeper Chris Maxwell will miss the game on Saturday.

This leaves a chance for Declan Rudd to gain some form in between the sticks after struggling in his more recent appearances for the Lilywhites.

Josh Harrop and Billy Bodin are both out with ACL injuries and Alex Neil has hinted that neither may be back to play before the end of the season.

Callum Woods has yet to return to the squad after an injury picked up on his way back from a knock gained in the Carabao Cup game against Morecambe.

Although, it seems as though he has recovered and is available for selection should he be called upon.

Predicted XI:

Rudd

Clarke Huntington Davies Hughes

Pearson Johnson

Barkhuizen Browne Robinson

Maguire

Score Prediction:

PNE 2-1 Bristol City

Despite North End’s struggles towards the bottom of the table they are now unbeaten in six and seem to be becoming more solid at the back.

Having said that, this game could be a big test of that and a loss could but PNE in trouble going into the next international break after the Blackburn game.

But, I’m going to hope that Ashton Gate will still be a happy hunting ground for Preston and boldly predict a first away league win of the season.